Urban Design Protocol supports work underway
by local government
8 March 2005
Local government supports the Urban Design Protocol, officially launched in Wellington today by the Prince of Wales and
the Minister for the Environment and Urban Affairs, Hon Marian Hobbs.
Local Government New Zealand is a signatory to the Protocol which will benefit our communities by making cities and
towns more user-friendly places through better quality design of public places and of the way private places interact
with the public realm.
Basil Morrison, President, Local Government New Zealand states that the concept of urban design is not just about the
way our buildings look or how a place feels, it is about the way we use our entire cities and towns, creating and
utilising parks or other public areas and transport systems that complement each other for the benefit of communities.
“We are fully supportive of the Urban Design Protocol and know that it will add value to the work already being carried
out by councils in the area of urban design. Councils are responsible for planning our towns and cities, designing
effective infrastructure and ensuring there are enough parks and open spaces for everyone to enjoy. The Protocol is
another tool for local government to use in its everyday work,” said Mr Morrison.
“I am pleased to see so many other organisations and businesses have signed up to the Protocol. It’s important that the
Protocol is recognised by people like architects and developers as well as central and local government.”
The Urban Design Protocol, led by the Ministry for the Environment, aims to get all sectors that are involved in urban
design working together in a coordinated way. It allows for knowledge and experience sharing and signatories have agreed
to incorporate certain design principles into their work.
For further information about the Urban Design Protocol, list of signatories, case studies and action packs see
www.mfe.govt.nz
ENDS